When Does ARC Raiders Flashpoint Go Live? Every Time Zone Covered

The Flashpoint update for ARC Raiders — the third major content drop in the ongoing Escalation season — launches on March 31, 2026. It arrives on all platforms simultaneously, bringing a new ARC enemy type, a fresh map condition category, a revamped Scrappy companion, and a new Player Project to Embark Studios' extraction shooter.

Quick answer: ARC Raiders Flashpoint goes live on March 31, 2026, at 8:30 AM UTC (1:30 AM PT / 4:30 AM ET). Servers will go offline for maintenance roughly two hours before launch.

ARC Raiders Flashpoint Release Times by Region

Flashpoint (Version 1.22.0) rolls out globally at the same moment. The local times below reflect that single simultaneous launch. Expect server maintenance to begin approximately two hours before these times, so plan your last raid accordingly.

Flashpoint New Content Breakdown

Flashpoint is a content expansion, not a seasonal wipe. All existing gear, stash items, and in-progress Player Projects carry over untouched. Here's what the update adds.

Shredder Migration and the New ARC Threat

Shredders, the fast-moving ground enemies previously confined to Stella Montis, are spreading to other maps with Flashpoint. You can now encounter them in the Blue Gate and Spaceport regions. Alongside the migration, a new ARC threat called the Vaporizer enters the game. This is a distinct enemy type separate from the Shredders, adding another layer of danger to extraction runs across all maps.

ARC Operation: Close Scrutiny — New Map Condition

Flashpoint debuts a brand-new map condition category called ARC Operations. The first entry in this category is Close Scrutiny. When active, this condition changes the tactical landscape of affected maps. The update also introduces an EM Surge weather event that disrupts electronic weapon attachments like thermal sights and laser designators. If your loadout relies heavily on electronic optics, you'll want to craft or find a Grounding Augment to keep your gear functional during these storms. Alternatively, switching to iron sights or analog attachments sidesteps the problem entirely.

Scrappy Companion Rework

The beloved rooster companion Scrappy receives a significant intelligence upgrade. The headline feature is a new Priority Filter system that lets you program Scrappy to ignore common junk and focus on collecting specific high-tier materials like ARC Alloys or Motion Cores. This should make scavenging runs noticeably more efficient, since you'll spend less time sorting through low-value pickups.

Player Project: High Gain Antenna

A new multi-stage Player Project called High Gain Antenna becomes available in Speranza's Projects tab once the update lands. Like previous community projects, it involves collecting specific items and data from the field. Completing it rewards cosmetic items and functional gear, including Raider Tokens and augments.

Wasp Hunter Cosmetic Bundle

A new DLC cosmetic set called Wasp Hunter hits the in-game store alongside Flashpoint. Three major skins are making their debut with this update, available through the store, the Player Project, or the Raider Deck.

PS5 Pro PSSR Support

Players on PS5 Pro gain official support for PlayStation Spectral Super Resolution (PSSR) with this patch. The upscaling technology delivers a cleaner image in dense environments and improved frame stability, which is particularly noticeable in the game's foliage-heavy maps.

Frequently Asked Questions

Flashpoint is the third of four planned updates in the Escalation season's Q1 2026 roadmap. The final update, Riven Tides, is expected in April and will reportedly include a new boss-tier ARC enemy, a new weapon, an additional map condition, and a new map.